Goods we are unable to accept

Yorkshire Cancer Research will always try to sell items that have thoughtfully been donated to the charity. However, there may be times when we have to evaluate the potential risk of certain donations to staff and customers. There are occasions when we cannot accept certain items.

Please check the list below to find out more about the items we cannot accept, or feel free to give one of our shops a call to discuss your donation beforehand.

The most important consideration when selling furniture and homeware is if an item is flammable. When donated items do not have a safety label or instructions, we are unable to safely sell them.

The full list of furniture or homeware we can’t accept includes:

• upholstered donated furniture without a fire label (unless pre-1950s)
• donated furniture with unsafe missing parts or damage
• candles without instructions and safety notice
• duvets and pillows
• Mattresses
• roller or venetian blinds (unless in original packaging with safety instructions included).

As we are unable to guarantee that second-hand safety equipment is fully protective, or has not been previously damaged, we cannot accept:

• any safety helmets
• climbing equipment
• buoyancy aids, life jackets, and inflatables
• any mobility items - e.g. wheelchairs, walkers, bath aids.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is able to sell electrical sports equipment, but only if they have the original operating instructions.

Yorkshire Cancer Research tests and sells a wide range of electrical items. However, for safety reasons, Yorkshire Cancer Research is unable to sell:

• laptops, personal computers, and tablets - we can’t ensure they are wiped of personal data
• electric blankets
• sunbeds and tanning equipment
• donated white goods - e.g. fridge, freezer, or washing machines
• microwaves
• personal hygiene items - e.g. shavers and foot spas (unless brand new in box)
• any power tools - we can't guarantee that all parts are working and safe for use
• mobile phones
• e-readers.

We are unable to accept are home-recorded DVDs or VHS tapes.

Yorkshire Cancer Research can sell 18-rated items, however, for all goods given an age-restricted classification, it is illegal to sell them to anyone below the specified age. This includes computer games where the age rating relates to the content. Yorkshire Cancer Research, therefore, may ask you for ID if you are purchasing age-restricted media.

Please note: contact your local shop if you intend to donate DVDs or CDs to find out if they are unable to accept these items. 

Yorkshire Cancer Research are unable to sell items that may be unsafe for children. The list of what items we can’t accept includes:

• cot bumpers and mattresses
• pram mattresses
• children’s pillows
• cribs, cradles, and reclined cradles
• carrycots and stands / moses baskets
• table-mounted chairs
• playpens
• baby baths
• baby door bouncers or baby walkers
• all inflatable armbands and rings worn as floatation aids
• any toy without a CE mark
• nightwear and fancy-dress items not labelled as fire resistant
• car seats and booster seats
• child seats for cycles.

Yorkshire Cancer Research cannot sell dangerous items for legal and safety reasons. This full list includes:

• sharp knives (excluding cutlery)
• swords
• crossbows or catapults
• guns or realistic replica toy guns
• ammunition
• sharp gardening tools
• any other weapons.
  

You can dispose of sharps or weapons via your local police station:

• England
• Wales
• Scotland.

Other items Yorkshire Cancer Research cannot accept include:

• chemical items
• any medications
• smoking-related items, including ashtrays
• hot water bottles
• any gas or petrol appliances
• unsealed cosmetics and toiletries
• food or perishables
• counterfeit items
• russian military items
• company-branded uniforms
• motor vehicles or car parts
• grossly offensive and/or discriminatory material.
• Ivory and fur